KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Kalamazoo College men's tennis team has added yet another award to cap off its MIAA championship season as Elan Dantus has been named the ITA Central Region Most Improved Senior. The International Tennis Association awards a number of honors to outstanding coaches and players in Atlantic-South, Central, Northeast, West regions.
For Dantus, a senior captain from Okemos, this award wraps up a decorated career at Kalamazoo. As a freshman he began his career playing six singles and doubles.
As a sophomore he made the jump to three singles and one doubles. His sophomore campaign kicked off three straight years of All-MIAA First Team recognition.
Twice named MIAA Player of the Week, Dantus completed his career undefeated in MIAA play, going 21-0 in singles and 20-0 in doubles. Overall, he was 47-29 in singles and 61-25 in doubles over his four years.
Coach Mark Riley spoke highly of his captain saying, "Elan has been an exemplary teammate during his career and I am elated that the coaches in the Central Region recognized Elan's improved play. During his career, Elan improved from #6 singles to the top part of the lineup and in doubles moved from #3 doubles to #1 doubles. Elan has earned over a 100 career wins and has helped our team earned national rankings in the top 25."
He is the 20th player in program history to be named First Team All-MIAA three times and is the first Hornet to be named ITA Central Region Most Improved Senior.